SCAM ALERT: Con-artist tries to trick pensioner in Lancashire

Daria Neklesa

Police have issued a warning after a scam-artist tried to cruelly trick an elderly woman from Burnley.

The woman, who is in her 70s, received a phone call yesterday (15 December) from a man who claimed to be from the HMRC.

The man said that she owed the HMRC thousands of pounds and went on to become verbally abusive and said the police would come to arrest her if she did not give him her financial details.

Thankfully, the woman did not part with any of her money or give the man any of her details.

A police spokesperson said: "This serves as a timely reminder to remain vigilant at all times. Never hand over any money or give your personal details over the phone to anyone whose identity cannot be verified."

Police have asked the public to remain aware of this potential scam and to share this information with elderly friends, neighbours or relatives.

If you think you have fallen victim to a scam, you can contact Action Fraud at http://socsi.in/v3P5n or you can call the Action Fraud Hotline on 0300 123 2040.